"Obviously to go 1-0 in the league to open here at home, I'm excited for our guys to have the opportunity to get a win."

On the team chipped and got the 10 point lead at the half

"We knew that the tempo of the game needed to pick up in terms of the way the game was played early. I felt like the last four minutes of the first half our guys did a really good job of creating energy and picking the tempo up and creating some transition opportunities which allowed us to build a lead. I felt like the first four minutes of the second half we did that as well, but unfortunately we weren't able to sustain that effort. Give Vanderbilt credit, they came down and did a much better job of taking care of the basketball. They got some shots to fall and their energy was much better in the second part of the second half. "

On how the loss of Eric McClellan changes Vanderbilt "

Obviously, from my standpoint, it's about preparation. Coach (Kevin) Stallings would probably answer that question better than I would. But obviously, any time you lose a guy that is your leading scorer, a guy that is one of your leaders in minutes, and does so much for your team, that's a big hit. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Stallings. I know that whatever the situation and why that young man is not here, there is something that he will deal with. You have to give him credit, his team certainly rallied behind him and had some other guys step up and make some plays that put them in a position to win the game."

Alabama Sophomore Guard Retin Obasohan

On Alabama's big lead:

"It was all about the style of play in the first half. It was about the opportunity to hit first. We startled them with pressure."

On Vanderbilt's comeback:

"We had a lapse of energy. We were not as aggressive as we were in the first half. We gave them the opportunity to get back in the game."

On the game being a confidence boost:

"I'm just proud of myself and of my team. We had the opportunity to play a very tough non-conference schedule. It definitely prepared us going into this SEC season. This is not only a big confidence boost for me, but also for everybody else on my team."

Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings

Opening statement:

"I thought the early difference in the game was probably the first-half pressure of their defense and our turnovers. That enabled them to get separation before the end of the half. I thought we faltered the last four or five minutes of the half. I didn't think we played very well defensively in the second half but we started scoring and we were able to cut into their lead. I'm not sure if we had one possession where it was a one-possession game. I know we had it cut to three a couple of times but, nevertheless, they made some big shots and that was the difference in the game.

(Retin) Obasohan hit that three and (Nick) Jacobs hit a little short shot when we needed them to miss. Again, I did not think that we played that well defensively in the second half. You have to give some credit to their offense but, still, our defense was not what we needed it to be in order for us to win."

Vanderbilt Senior Forward Rod Odom

On playing Kentucky when they go back home on Saturday:

"That's always an exciting game with the fans. We're just ready to go back."